Stopping the global epidemic of chronic diseases: the world health organization to release new report

29 September 2005 | Geneva

Nearly 60% of all deaths are due to chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and respiratory diseases like asthma. Eighty per cent of these deaths occur in low and middle income countries, and half are women.

The World Health Organization's (WHO) soon to be released global report, 'Preventing Chronic Disease: a vital investment' declares that although this rapidly growing global epidemic will claim the lives of more than 350 million people in the next 10 years and cause millions more to suffer, the global recognition and response have not kept pace.

The report calls for urgent action at all levels to prevent the risk factors that are responsible for chronic disease, including unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and tobacco use. WHO will announce a global goal for preventing chronic disease deaths.

The World Health Organization will release the global report, 'Preventing Chronic Diseases: a vital investment' to the media on Wednesday, October 5th at 00:01 GMT. However the media have an opportunity to hear more about the report, under embargo, in advance.

via satellite: The WHO TV studio will be available for satellite interviews. Arrange a time slot (15mins) between 0900-1200 CET Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 October by calling Chris Black on +41 22 791 1460, or emailing: tvstudio@who.int

Online and audiovisual support: Media centre: http://www.who.int/chp/chronic_disease_report/media/ A copy of the report under embargo in .pdf format is available as of Friday, 30 September at the website. Details for the password protected site: Login name: mediaguest, password: globalepidemic

Data: Regional statistics, plus country statistics for the nine countries featured in the report (Brazil, Canada, China, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania)

Photos: Gallery of 'Face to face with chronic disease' photo essays and poster series. Photos available for publication.